Robert Popelka
Popelka from 1967 "Cotton Blossom"
Born:November 20, 1949
Career information
Position(s)Defensive back
CollegeSouthern Methodist University
High schoolTemple High School
Career history
As player
1970–1972SMU Mustangs
Career highlights and awards
Consensus All-American (1972)

Robert E. Popelka (born November 20, 1949) is a former American football player.

Popelka was raised in Temple, Texas, and played college football as a defensive back for Southern Methodist University. Popelka played tailback in high school but was converted to defense at SMU.[1] In 1971, he intercepted a pass and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown to help SMU to an 18-17 upset victory over Texas Tech.[2][3] He was a consensus first-team selection to the 1972 College Football All-America Team.[4] He was also twice selected as an All-Southwest Conference player.[5] SMU coach Hayden Fry said of Popelka: "Robert is the best defensive back in America. He has the tools and equipment to do it all. He has 9.7 speed, great quickness, and excellent judgment and timing."[6] He also won the Southwest Conference's Kern Tips Memorial Award in 1972 as the conference's outstanding senior football player.[7][8]

Popelka was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 14th round of the 1973 NFL Draft,[9] He was considered to be too small and too slow for the NFL.[10]

Popelka was inducted into the SMU Hall of Fame in 1983.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Fry High on Ex-Tailback Popelka as Defensive Back". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. November 3, 1971. p. 1E – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Popelka Hero Of Pony Win". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 24, 1971. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Robert Popelka Named Defensive Player of Week". The Eagle. October 27, 1971. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2014. p. 6. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Robert Popelka Bio". SMUMustangs.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Maxson and Morris: SMU's Dynamic Duo". The Tampa Tribune. September 20, 1972. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Popelka Wins Award". Austin American-Statesman. December 7, 1972. p. 55 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Says Kern Tips Winner -- 'Technique 10 Percent And Desire 90 Percent'". El Paso Herald-Post. December 7, 1972. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "1973 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Popelka Doesn't Feel He'll Get Full Chance". The Bonham Daily Favorite. February 5, 1973. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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